DID YOU KNOW.....

The origin of etiquette.

Then
It was in eighteenth century France, king Louis XIV used to invite people to his palace for parties and festivals. His gardener at Versailles was faced with a serious problem: he could not stop members of the nobility from trampling about in the delicate areas of the King's garden. He finally attempted to dissuade their unwanted behavior by posting signs in French called “etiquette” which warned them to "Keep off the Grass, don’t walk on the flowers". When this course of action failed, the King himself had to issue an official decree that no one could go beyond the bounds of the signs. Later, the name "etiquette" was given to a ticket for court functions that included rules regarding where to stand and what to do.
Over time the word “etiquette” has evolved, it came to mean all the little signs that help us know what to do in new and different situations. And in even more time, etiquette came to mean all the things we do to help us get along better with those we meet in our daily lives. Etiquette, or manners, guides us through all of our activities. Moreover, it lets us present ourselves with confidence and authority in all areas of our professional and personal life.

Now
In our own society, good manners were considered an important part of a child's upbringing until the 1960s. Educational Institutions incorporated social graces as a crucial aspect of a well-rounded curriculum, and charm schools specialized in etiquette, poise and proper manners at the table. The '60s and '70s ushered in a decline in the popularity of etiquette training. The return to traditional social values in the '80s and '90s, partly as a reaction to the previous two decades, has created an increasing awareness of the importance good manners have in our culture. As our world becomes a smaller place and our economy becomes increasingly global in scope, it is becoming increasingly clear how important good manners are in all cultures.
Etiquette, the little sign is like a tool to help you get along. And just as with all tools, you need to learn how to use them. It takes practice, practice, practice…
Learn to use the manners in our school and you will have the tools you need to get through different situations more easily. You’ll know what to expect in so many more situations, and you’ll have more confidence for facing new ones. Take advantage of our classes of good manners and you will develop a sense of self-respect and self-confidence that will make your day and the day of everyone around you just a little bit better.